Character Actor and Cult Favorite Charles Napier Dead at 75

Russ Meyer loved him. You may remember him as the maniac in Supervixens, Harry in Cherry, Harry & Raquel, and Meyer’s best-known Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.

Jonathan Demme was also a fan. Napier appeared in Melvin & Howard, Philadelphia, The Silence of the Lambs, and uncredited in Beloved.

The 75-year-old Kentucky-born, Bakersfield, CA resident died early on Wednesday, October 5th, after being taken off life support. The cause of death has not been released, but he was treated earlier this year in May for blood clots in his legs.

A prominent actor on the small screen, he lent his voice to the popular Adult Swim cartoon Squidbillies. Other big screen ventures include The Blues Brothers and Rambo: First Blood Part 2.